New playgrounds cater for children of all ages

CHILDREN from Chalgrove in South Oxfordshire were buzzing with excitement when they cut the ribbon at the official opening ceremony for their new play area.

Olivia Gaskin, Olivia Soper, Louis Campbell, Mia Richardson, and Thomas Marriage were thrilled to open the new under eights and over eights playgrounds on the Recreation Ground at The Green, which were the result of a three-year long project to update facilities.

Joined by parish councillor Carol Fowler, and Henley MP John Howell, the children opened the multi-use play areas in front of a crowd of more than 50 residents.

Olivia Gaskin, 10, said: “Without a doubt, the zipwire is my all-time favourite piece of equipment. It’s the sort of thing that you want to go on constantly.”

Olivia Soper, 11, said: “One of my favourite pieces of equipment is the red and green curly slide in the over eights playground.

“Going down it is such fun. You want to try it over and over again until your parents get bored and make you go home.”

Louis Campbell, 10, said: “My favourite piece of equipment is the swing because you can go really high and it is scary, especially if you stand up.”

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The playground project, called Chalgrove at Play, was set up by the parish council in 2010.

Residents, following consultation with Chalgrove Community Primary School Council and the community, asked for an updated playground with zip wire, swings, picnic benches and lots of different play equipment.

There are two different areas for the children in the playground, which will be open all-year round.